It is one more night of uncertain wait for all the political parties in Karnataka, with the Supreme Court reserving for Thursday morning its order on the plea of 15 Congress and JD(S) MLAs, who have sought that their resignations to the Assembly be accepted.
The ruling coalition partners as well as the Opposition BJP have stationed their MLAs in different resorts on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Meanwhile, rebel MLAs, who resigned and are awaiting their acceptance, continue to stay in a hotel in Mumbai.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the case of the lawmakers whose resignations, if accepted, will leave the government in a minority. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is set to move a confidence motion on Thursday.
Hope against odds
Against all odds, JD(S) leaders remained hopeful of the survival of the government, said sources in the party.
A senior leader said the party was hoping that one of the three rebels would return to the party fold and also some from the Congress.
The party is expecting a “positive development” from the Supreme Court and from the Speaker’s office too.
Interestingly, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda is said to have advised his party men to hold on till Wednesday. “Because Tuesday was considered inauspicious owing to lunar eclipse, Mr. Gowda wants to wait till Wednesday,” said a leader.
Some senior legislators also went to temples on Tuesday. Earlier, Public Works Department Minister H.D. Revanna, whom the rebels have accused of interfering in their work, was also on a temple run seeking divine intervention to protect the government.
Over to resort
Fearing poaching of more party MLAs, the Congress on Tuesday moved its lawmakers to a private resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru. A total of 76 legislators, including MLCs, have been provided accommodation in the resort, the sources told The Hindu.
“We are keenly watching the ruling of the Supreme Court. Our next plan of action is only after the apex court ruling on Wednesday,” said a Congress leader, who has been monitoring the movement of MLAs.
“We have faith in the Supreme Court. We hope that the court will uphold the powers and privileges vested in the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. It’s not appropriate on the part of the court to interfere in the functioning of the Speaker,” another leader said.
BJP not unduly worried
Leaders of the Opposition BJP, according to sources, are not unduly worried as the party thinks that it is in an advantageous position in terms of number game irrespective of the stand taken by the Supreme Court.
“But we are committed to protecting the interests of rebel MLAs who are supporting us if the court verdict goes against them,” a party leader said.
The BJP leaders are reportedly in touch with a slew of legal experts and most of them are said to be of the view that the party’s prospects may not be affected. The leaders are also said to be holding consultations on the strategies to be adopted if the court verdict goes against the rebels.
Meanwhile, party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa spent a long part of Tuesday with party legislators in a resort in Yelahanka. He even played cricked with them and engaged in informal conversation.